§ Mr. Symondsasked the President of the Board of Trade (1) how many firms have informed his Department that they are now prepared to set up factories in Millom and Cleator Moor, in view of the fact that they both come under special development areas;
(2) what difficulties are preventing firms from going to Millom; and what steps he has taken to overcome these difficulties in view of the fact that over 11 per cent. are out of work there;
(3) how many firms have made inquiries about factory sites at Cleator Moor; how many have notified his Department that they propose to go there; and if he will give further encouragement to these projects, in view of there being 14.4 per cent. unemployment there.
§ Mrs. Gwyneth DunwoodyMillom and Cleator Moor are geographically remote and the decline of employment in traditional industries has caused particular difficulties. We have recognised this by designating them special development areas. The Board of Trade encourages suitable firms to take advantage of the additional incentives available there, and we believe that there are good prospects for securing some new projects before long. An advance factory is to be346W built at Millom, two have already been let at Cleator Moor, a third is under construction there and a fourth will be considered as soon as the third is allocated.